2nd Full Fling

So this was my second time out riding the Fling having ridden it in 2011.
My goal going into the race was to get as clsoe to 5 hours as possible with anything under 5 being a bonus. I feel that my main weakness in enduro races is the final third where I feel flat and no amount of nutrition will keep me going, however I have been completing some longer training rides hoping to draw out some stamina for the final push.
So with Dicko's over-ambitious predictions still fresh in my mind I lined up alongside Brian, Doc and PS a few rows back from the start looking to get away and minimise the amount of congestion. It was a bit of a chaotic start and I saw a couple of riders on the floor to my left within metres of the start line, I also received a knock on my right and my bars got locked under somone elses but thankfully stayed upright. The start was exceptionally fast and I probably pushed too hard to keep pace. After a while things settled down and started to break up on the climb through the farmland. I had in mind to reach the first transition around the hour mark and this proved just about right, I really didn't enjoy the drag through the meadows and was surprised at how I was getting bounced around despite being on the same bike I don't recall it being the same last year - possibly a result of the drier weather (?). I'd lost time at transition both times in 2011 and didn't want to do the same so re-filled my water and moved onto St 2.
Hooked up with 5-6 other riders on the drag into Wingello but there was only me and one other guy doing any work. At this stage things were going ok, I was drinking and eating regularly, although I had felt a twinge in my hamstring so wasn't planning to push any big gears. Entering the singletrack with a group went fine and i wasn't held up or holding up anyone else and felt relatively smooth, the trails were in great condition and I enjoyed the sections. Coming around to halfway hill I got into granny early and steadily span my way up, the kick really was a kick and I laboured to the top. This is where I started to find it hard and it felt hard going from this point on. I was trying to hang onto a group of 3 coming into the fire road section before the 2nd transition but didn't quite make it so ended up soloing in. Re-filled the bottles, relubed the chain and took a gel and moved on. The first section of road seemed to go pretty quick but the rollercoaster took its toll, there were a few walkers on the pinches which made it a bit more of a challenge, and a couple of times almost came to a stop but rode through and up brokeback mtain. Felt a couple of cramp twinges but managed to hold back a full onset of cramps. From that point on I knew I was struggling as through the techie stuff I was struggling to hold chosen lines and had a couple of 'foot out' moments. From there on the thought of finishing kept me going, went left at your call and onto the finish stopping my garmin at 5:12 with a few minutes deducted through transition. I averaged approx 21kph which is the fastest I've managed in an enduro so no complaints.
The Fling is a really well organised and run event and I'll certainly be back next year, still need to break the 5 hour mark..
Well done to all that raced and especially Brian, GaryinOz, Doc and PS and Dicko(although he wasn't there) for putting in the kms beforethe event.